Belmont Park Hotlist - July 2

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Friday, July 2, 2021 at Belmont Park
                By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                         B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

3^rd race [Clm 10000, 1 1/16] – (5) Runabout (B) was keen under restraint and had to be steadied but still rallied for second for a $20,000 tag and was claimed. He comes right back for half the price which is still a money-making move if they get the win. (6) Heavy Roller won 2 out of his last 3 races, in order for tags of $20,000, $16,000, and $10,000. He beat the Hot List horses two races back. (1) Hawaiian Noises will drop back to this level in his third start for a new trainer. (2) Blugrascat’s Smile is a veteran of these low-level claimers with 10 career victories.

6^th race [NY, Md Sp Wt, 1 1/16 TURF] – (2) Dancing Firefly (C) had the lead in his debut for a $40,000 tag for Danny Gargan and finished second after getting bet down from 7-1 to 5-1. (7) Cali Fitz (B) in his April debut at Belmont Park, reacted greenly to the kickback, and should move forward after being sent off at 5-1. (1) Caumsett (C) set the pace and finished second after getting bet from 8-1 to 5-1. (3) Epona’s Dream finished fourth and third in her last two starts since moving back to the grass.

7^th race [Alw 50000s, 1 mi] – (7) Fingal (C) was a winner last out when he dropped into a maiden claimer for the first time for Carlos Martin and he was bet down from 13-1 to 6-1. (2) Kid Bourbon gets blinkers on and moves back to the main track where he has been most effective. (3) Uncle Moonlight will stretch out to a mile after running second going seven furlongs last time. (5) Parade Field has past efforts that would make him a contender in this field if he bounces back from his last race.

8^th race [NY, OC 45k/N2X, 7F TURF] – (1) Screamin’ By (C) had show finishes in her last three starts at this level including last time when she was bet from 7-1 to 5-1. (5) Dublinornothin (C) was a winner at this level and now returns for the $45,000 optional claiming price. She returned to NY-bred company in that start and took betting action that dropped her odds from 11-1 to 7-1. (9) Kokopelli has won both of her career starts – a maiden special weight and a first-level allowance against state-breds for Christophe Clement. (3) Silky Blue finished ahead of the top Hot List horse twice recently while finishing second at this level.

Best bets:  Runabout (3^rd); Dancing Firefly (6^th). Best value: Fingal (7^th); Screamin’ By (8^th).